Dan Barrett, operations manager and Paul Campling, company director, right, who are transforming the former O'Neill's pub on Grant Street, Cleethorpes, into The Foundry Bar and Kitchen (Image: Jon Corken/Grimsby Live)

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Cleethorpes' former O'Neill's pub willl soon be back open after a £250,000 makeover.

The iconic building at the High Street and Grant Street junction will soon be opened as The Foundry Bar and Kitchen.

Company director Paul Campling, who also owns Studio Bar in Market Place, revealed he would also like to build an extension on to the Foundry at the rear to create a number of hotel rooms.

He and operations manager, Dan Barrett told Grimsby Live of their vision for the resort and the aim to bring back a premium venue to the High Street. They will employ between 15 and 20 staff at The Foundry.

The rear of the former O'Neill's pub in Cleethorpes could be site of hotel accommodation (Image: Rick Byrne / GrimsbyLive)

Dan said: "People remember it as O'Neill's and the queues to get in. We hope to get it busy again. Since we started work on it last year, every day there have been people asking us when we are opening.

"The new plan has changed the whole structure of the building and we will have an entrance in the middle of the front, rather than the side. We have taken out walls to open it up more to create better use of the space and the new doors at the front enable much more natural light to flood into the building.

Paul said: "Our original plan was to open for August bank holiday 2019 and most of the internal works had been completed by this date, however we did not receive the necessary planning permission in regard to the front until two days before this date and therefore had to postpone the opening."

How the old Victoria, Cleethorpes looked in October 1985 (Image: Grimsby Telegraph)

He said: "Once work started at the front, we discovered that there had been very little maintenance carried out on the building over the last 30 years and the entire frontage needed extensive remedial treatment to protect it from water. Within these works, we uncovered some original features to the building, that add real character but had deteriorated over time.

"We decided to spend additional time and effort bringing these features back to their former glory to create a front elevation to be proud of. This was by no means a small undertaking but we feel an important one. The additional works have further delayed our opening but we envisage a March opening date." Paul added.

The owner added: "We feel that the Cleethorpes' night scene has changed over recent years and we aim to bring more people back to this end of town. We love the regeneration which is going on in this part of the resort. Cleethorpes is on the up.

How O'Neill's used to look

"My view of Cleethorpes is that there is growth and demand for accommodation and in the future I would like to provide hotel accommodation above."

The Foundry will cater for a capacity of 350 visitors and become a popular dining and drinking destination.

Dan said it will open for 9am to provide breakfasts and coffees and a fantastic, home cooked menu with an additional selection of vegetarian, vegan and calorie-controlled dishes will be served throughout the day, until 9pm.

The bar staff will serve a unique range of cocktails and beverages throughout the day and into the early hours of the morning on weekend nights.

The Foundry is set to become a mecca for music fans with live acts and also plans to hold mid week quiz nights.

The Victoria, Cleethorpes pictured in June 1993 (Image: Grimsby Telegraph)

"Weekend evenings will be filled with music from The Sixties to the present day so we are sure there will be something for everyone to enjoy." said Dan.

"We will have one of the best selections of gins, rums & whiskys in the resort. Rum is fast becoming the favourite for many drinkers and starting to overtake gin in popularity," he told.

He added: "We will have the best selection in town. The Studio Bar has done really well for us, and there is definitely demand for Live Music, so we want to do the same here at The Foundry.

The venue will have a visual theme of industrial chic with unique lighting, feature wall decoration and new layout.

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Dan said: "We developed the concept first, detailing the look and feel we wanted to achieve and then later came up with the name 'The Foundry' to suit. Our vision was to create a modern-looking venue like no other in the town, that will appeal to all ages and genders.

"With our quality service and product, we want people to walk in, feel welcome and comfortable so they stay for their evening. At night time Cleethorpes appears divided with many of the over 30s heading to another part of the town. We want to bring them back to The High Street. It will be great to bring some quality back to this end of town."

The dance floor, popular back in the days of O'Neill's has gone to accommodate ample seating for diners and a new VIP area has been introduced in the large venue.